Miley Cyrus through the years

Miley Cyrus exploded on the scene more than eight years ago with her Disney Channel alter ego "Hannah Montana." Join us for a look at her career so far.

Miley is not her given name. Cyrus actually began acting at age 9 on father Billy Ray Cyrus' PAX drama "Doc" under her birth dame of Destiny Hope Cyrus. The name Miley comes from her nickname of "Smiley" as a baby.

In 2003, Cyrus was credited under her birth name for her minor role as "Young Ruthie" in Tim Burton's "Big Fish."

At the age of 12, Cyrus landed the lead role in the Disney Channel series "Hannah Montana." The show's first episode aired on March 24, 2006.

The show saw Cyrus play a dual role, that of teenager Miley Stewart and her glamorous rock star alter ego Hannah Montana.

The first soundtrack album for the show, released on Oct. 24, 2006, became the eighth best selling album of 2006 in the U.S., with nearly 2 million copies sold that year. It eventually sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide.

Cyrus arrives at the 40th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 6, 2006.

Cyrus' father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, seen here together in a Season 2 episode from 2007, played her fictional father on "Hannah Montana."

Cyrus performs as Hannah Montana during the ABC Good Morning America Summer Concert Series in New York City on June 22, 2007.

Cyrus' second "Hannah Montana" soundtrack album, seen here with its alternative cover, was called "Meet Miley Cyrus" and sold 5 million copies after its June 2007 release.

Cyrus talks with patient Alex Wilson, 7, during a visit where she handed out toys and signed photos at the Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence, R.I., on Dec. 20, 2007.

The "Hannah Montana" empire expanded to movies with the February 2008 release of the 3-D concert movie "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert."

The concert movie opened at $31 million on its way to grossing more than $65 million at the box office.

Cyrus poses on the red carpet at the 80th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on Feb. 24, 2008.

Cyrus performs her hit song "Girl's Night Out" at the 2008 Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 29, 2008.

Her young career hit a speed bump in April 2008 thanks to controversy over a photoshoot taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair. Some criticized the photos as too risque for the then-15-year-old singer.

Cyrus sought a break from the Vanity Fair photo controversy with a May 1, 2008, trip to Walt Disney World. Here she rides an attraction with fans.

Cyrus signs autographs for fans outside Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World on May 1, 2008.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse pose with Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus' first album not affiliated with the "Hannah Montana" franchise was 2008's "Breakout." The album, which was released on July 22, 2008, peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was eventually certified platinum.

Singer Katy Perry (left) poses with Cyrus and her mother Leticia Cyrus as they arrive at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 7, 2008.

Cyrus arrives at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood on Feb. 22, 2009.

After its 2008 concert movie, the "Hannah Montana" franchise ventured into theaters again with 2009's "Hannah Montana: The Movie."

The movie saw Cyrus' character returning home to Tennessee after her father decides she needs some perspective as the Hannah Montana part of her life grows out of control.

Cyrus attends the premiere of "Hannah Montana: The Movie" in Los Angeles on April 2, 2009.

Cyrus and her father arrive for the London premiere of "Hannah Montana: The Movie" on April 23, 2009.

Cyrus reacts after winning Best Song from a Movie for "The Climb" in "Hannah Montana: The Movie" at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles on May 31, 2009.

Cyrus arrives at the 82nd Academy Awards in Hollywood on March 7, 2010.

Cyrus returned to the big screen again on March 31, 2010, for the drama "The Last Song."

Although the film, and Cyrus' performance, generally got poor reviews, the movie was commercially successful, grossing more than $88 million at the worldwide box office.

Cyrus and co-star Liam Hemsworth pose at the Hollywood premiere of "The Last Song" on March 25, 2010. Cyrus announced on June 6, 2012, that she and Hemsworth were engaged.

Cyrus takes part in the German game show "Wetten Dass" (Bet it...?) in Hanover, Germany, on Nov. 6, 2010. "Wetten Dass" is one of the most popular Saturday night programs in Germany and Austria.

The final episode of "Hannah Montana" was broadcast on Jan. 16, 2011. The Season 4 finale, titled "Wherever I Go," was the series' 98th episode overall.

Cyrus arrives at The Kids Choice Awards 2011 in Los Angeles on April 2, 2011.

Cyrus released her third studio album, "Can't Be Tamed," on June 18, 2010.

Cyrus poses during a photocall before a news conference promoting her album "Can't Be Tamed" in Mexico City on May 26, 2011.

Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth pose on the red carpet at the 38th People's Choice Awards on Jan. 11, 2012, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Cyrus poses as she arrives at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar party in West Hollywood, Calif., on Feb. 26, 2012.

Cyrus starred with Demi Moore in the little-seen 2012 comedy-drama "LOL," with Moore playing her character's mother.

Cyrus decided to change up her style a bit in August 2012, tweeting this picture of her new platinum pixie-punk cut.

Cyrus shows off her new look on the red carpet for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 6, 2012.

Cyrus raised eyebrows once again with her performance of "We Can't Stop" at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

Her video for the single "Wrecking Ball," which features the singer riding a wrecking ball, both in her underwear and naked, stirred even more controversy. The video, released on Sept. 9, 2013, quickly set the Vevo record for most views in the first 24 hours of its release, and the record for being the fastest video to reach 100 million views on the service.

Both "We Can't Stop" and "Wrecking Ball" are from Cyrus' fourth studio album, "Bangerz," which was released on Oct. 8, 2013. "We Can't Stop" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and "Wrecking Ball" became her first No. 1 hit.